DCAS Trauma Management 4

Question 1

Burns are classified by depth; a full-thickness (third-degree) burn is characterised by:

Accepted Answer

Destruction of all skin layers, white/brown/black leathery appearance, painless due to nerve destruction

Answer

Full-thickness burns destroy the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous structures, appearing as dry, leathery, white/brown/black, and painless as the nerve endings are destroyed.

Question 2

The Parkland formula for burn fluid resuscitation is:

Accepted Answer

4ml × weight (kg) × %TBSA burned, of Lactated Ringer's, with half given in first 8 hours

Answer

The Parkland formula calculates the 24-hour fluid requirement for major burns; half is given in the first 8 hours (timed from the injury, not hospital arrival) and half over the subsequent 16 hours.

Question 3

The 'Rule of Nines' estimates total body surface area (TBSA) burned; the head and neck account for:

Accepted Answer

9% in adults

Answer

In adults, the Rule of Nines allocates: head and neck = 9%, each arm = 9%, each leg = 18%, anterior trunk = 18%, posterior trunk = 18%, and perineum = 1%. Children have proportionally larger heads.

Question 4

Inhalation injury is suspected in a burn patient when:

Accepted Answer

There are facial burns, singed eyebrows/nasal hair, carbonaceous (sooty) sputum, and hoarse voice

Answer

Clinical indicators of inhalation injury include facial burns, singed nasal/facial hair (indicating exposure to flame), carbonaceous sputum (soot in the airway), and hoarseness (glottic oedema) — the last indicating imminent airway compromise.

Question 5

Traumatic asphyxia presents with:

Accepted Answer

Petechial haemorrhages to face and neck, cyanosis, conjunctival haemorrhages after severe chest compression

Answer

Traumatic asphyxia results from a sudden massive increase in intrathoracic pressure (e.g., crush injury) forcing blood retrograde through the valveless veins of the head and neck, causing petechiae, cyanosis, and subconjunctival haemorrhages.

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Trauma Management 4